After a brief delay, the Laurel City Council has approved a nearly $350,000 water line project in connection with a new business being located in the city.

During a Public Works Committee meeting last month, city officials and engineers told the City Council that upgrades are needed to one of the city’s water lines to accommodate a new hotel.

Ralph Gorenflo, project manager with United Water, and Mandy Hegwood with Neel-Schaffer told council members that there’s a need to provide more water to businesses locating on 16th Avenue.

However, during the city council’s Nov. 18 meeting, some city residents expressed their concern about the need and funding of the project.

Then, during a special council meeting last week, city officials approved the project.

Officials said the project is needed for the area around 13th Avenue and Jefferson Street up to 16th Avenue.

“The entire area needs this,” Hegwood said. “The request was just brought about because of the hotel.”

However, she said, the immediate need is for the construction of Hampton Inn, which will be a 85-room four-story hotel on Jefferson Street.

Gorenflo said for the hotel’s required fire protection, the city must upside the existing six-inch line for the fire protection it needs.

“The reason the 12-inch line is needed is the Hampton Inn,” he said. “We can’t cover the fire needs for the hotel with anything less.”

Jimmy Farnham with the city’s inspection department agreed.

“The pressure in this area is on the boarder line now,” Farnham said. “Adding this building to it (the current line) will overload what we have.”

Officials said the city upgraded its lines servicing South Central Regional Medical Center several years ago. However, that improvement only went to 13th Street and Jefferson Street and went east to the hospital.

Hegwood said the proposed improvements would connect to the 13th Street and Jefferson Street line and go west.

Several officials asked about the proposed project and the need for more water on the other side of 16th Avenue.